The Mary Magdalene Tradition

A careful study of Christian origins and detailed analysis of all the canonical, apocryphal and Gnostic Gospels in which Mary Magdalene appears. Considered the first apostle of Christianity by early Christians, the author explains why the patriarchs of the early church found it necessary, instead, to reinvent Mary as a wanton woman, rather than Jesus' most favored disciple.

In the Gospels of the Bible there are a few comments about Mary Magdalene here and there. But in the Gnostic scriptures that have been discovered, there are tantalizing hints that both her relationship to Jesus and her role among Jesus' disciples may have been profoundly important. Among several schools of Gnostic Christianity, Mary plays an essential role in the revelation of the gospel. Here, for the first time in print, is a Sophian Gospel of St. Mary Magdalene. No secret oral tradition as extensive as this has ever been recorded, and none has ever presented a Gnostic view of Mary Magdalene as she is portrayed in this groundbreaking work—as a powerful holy woman, the innermost disciple and beloved wife of Jesus, and a Christed woman who is coequal with Jesus in the Christ revelation.

Examines the multiple personae of Mary Magdalene illustrated throughout the canon of Western art.

In The Mary Magdalene Tradition, Holly Hearon offers an understanding of the early Church, the role of women in the Church, and the power of narrative to shape community understanding and practice. By examining the rhetorical function of the post-resurrection appearance to Mary Magdalene traditions in early Christian communities, Hearon draws connections between these ancient communities and the life of the Church today. Beginning with a reconstruction of the practice of storytelling in the world of antiquity, Hearon situates the Magdalene narratives in this oral, storytelling environment. Focusing on the fluid nature of storytelling, Hearon explores how the traditions were used to further arguments by storytellers with respect to women's leadership in Christian communities. Particular attention is given to the Gospels of Matthew and John, highlighting the relationship of the Gospel narratives to specific historical circumstances facing the early Church. Chapters are "Storytelling in the World of Antiquity," "Origins of the Post-Resurrection Appearance to Mary Magdalene Tradition," "The Function of the Mary Magdalene Tradition in Oral Storytelling Circles," "Storytelling Strategies in Matthew: The Function of the Mary Magdalene Tradition In Its Literary Context," "The Mary Magdalene Tradition and Matthean Communities: The Function of the Tradition in Response to Historical Circumstances," "Storytelling Strategies in John: The Function of the Mary Magdalene Tradition In Its Literary Context," "The Mary Magdalene Tradition and Johannine Communities: The Function of the Tradition in Response to Historical Circumstances," "Epilogue: A Consideration of Storytelling in Relation To OurUnderstanding of Communities in the Past and the Shaping of Communities for the Future."

Mary Magdalene, Jesus's Closest Disciple Marvin Meyer, one of the foremost scholars of the Gnostic Gospels: translates and introduces the Gnostic and New Testament texts that together reveal the story and importance of Mary Magdalene includes new translations of the Gospels of Mary, Thomas, Philip, and related texts about Mary Magdalene discloses, with Esther A. De Boer, the long-suppressed story of Mary's vital role in the life of Jesus and in the formative period after his crucifixion presents as authentically as possible the real Mary Magdalene

Adoration is love, and eucharistic adoration is love of Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament. In the Gospels there are few people who understand love for Jesus as well as Mary Magdalene, which is the reason she is a prophetess of eucharistic love. This work is an extended meditation on the life of Saint Mary Magdalene, known as the "Apostle to the Apostles" because the Risen Christ appeared to her first and then sent her to announce the Resurrection to the apostles. Based on the biblical texts traditionally associated with Mary Magdalene, this book helps readers to learn from her inspiring example and to enter more deeply into adoration of Jesus Christ truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. In telling the story of Mary Magdalene's profound conversion after a life so steeped in sin that the Lord had to expel seven demons from her soul, this book shows how she is a shining witness to the transforming power of an encounter with Jesus Christ. Mary Magdalene is the perfect model for those who have experienced the redeeming love of Christ and who seek to deepen their devotion to him and to the Eucharist.

Mary Magdalene is one of the most influential symbols in the history of Christianity—yet, if you look in the Bible, you’ll find only a handful of verses that speak of her. How did she become such a compelling saint in the face of such paltry evidence? In her effort to answer that question, Cynthia Bourgeault examines the Bible, church tradition, art, legend, and newly discovered texts to see what’s there. She then applies her own reasoning and intuition, informed by the wisdom of the ages-old Christian contemplative tradition. What emerges is a radical view of Mary Magdalene as Jesus’s most important disciple, the one he considered to understand his teaching best. That teaching was characterized by a nondualistic approach to the world and by a deep understanding of the value of the feminine. Cynthia shows how an understanding of Mary Magdalene can revitalize contemporary Christianity, how Christians and others can, through her, find their way to Jesus’s original teachings and apply them to their modern lives.

Did St. Mary Magdalene, one of Christianity’s most enigmatic figures, really visit Provence, as a local tradition claims? Joseph Bérenger’s famous paper, which is here published in English for the first time, learnedly evaluates the pertinent literary and archaeological evidence which was available to the author in 1925. This volume also includes an English translation of the 1893 study by Louis Duchesne, a fierce critic of the tradition, which partly inspired Bérenger’s article.Despite their age, these two papers still form a useful starting-point for anyone interested in attempting an objective assessment of this intriguing tradition.